documentary style

[Picture Love] Capturing the Magic: Date Night Through My Lens

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Hey bestie! 🌟 I recently had the joy of tagging along on a fantastic date night with an adorable couple: Kathryn & Victor, and let me tell you, it was a blast! Mini golf, arcade games, laughter, and love – it was a perfect blend of fun and romance.

Date Night Unveiled

Picture this: neon lights, the sound of laughter echoing in the air, and two people genuinely enjoying each other's company. As a photographer, being part of this date night was a magical experience. It wasn't just about capturing moments; it was about freezing time and creating memories that will be cherished forever.

The Benefits of a Photographer on Date Night

  1. Authentic Moments Captured: With me by your side, you can focus on being in the moment while I capture the authentic joy, love, and connection between you two. No need to worry about selfies – I've got that covered!

  2. Professional Quality Imagery: Say goodbye to blurry phone photos and hello to high-quality, professional images that showcase the beauty of your relationship. Each photo is a piece of art, carefully composed to tell your unique story.

  3. A Third Wheel That Enhances the Date: I'm not just a photographer; I'm a third wheel that adds a touch of fun and creativity to your date. From candid shots to creative compositions, your date night becomes a personalized photoshoot experience. Plus I’m a delight to have around ;)

  4. Documenting Every Smile and Victory: Mini golf victories, high-fives, and the joy of hitting the jackpot at the arcade – every smile and triumph will be documented, creating a visual storybook of your date night.

Sneak Peek into the Date

Swipe through these photos for a sneak peek into this wonderful date night. The love, laughter, and genuine connection between this couple are simply heartwarming.

Ready to Capture Your Date Night Magic?

Are you excited about the idea of turning your date night into a photoshoot experience? Let's make it happen! Whether it's mini golf, a cozy dinner, or a spontaneous adventure, having a photographer along ensures that every moment is beautifully documented.

Imagine having professional-quality images that not only capture the love between you two but also transport you back to the joy of that special night. Interested? Let's chat! Reach out to me, and let's plan your perfect date night photoshoot.

Here's to capturing the magic of love, one date night at a time! 📸💖

Cheers,

SJ

Top 4 activities for a Winter Day-in the Life session

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Winter and the holiday season is such a special time of year. We spend time with loved ones and do specific activities that can only be done during this season. We also partake in certain traditions we were raised with or create our own. These traditions and special moments deserve to be cherished.

I’ve put together a short list of ideas of how you can document this special time of year with those you love:

1.Picking out a Tree from Tree Lot/Farm

2. Decorating your Christmas Tree/ your home with Holiday decor!

3. Making Hot Cocoa

4. Simply existing/thriving in the holiday season

Additional Ideas:
- Baking and Decorating Cookies
- Playing in the Snow (if that’s possible near you)
- Ice Skating
- Holiday crafts

If you’re interested in booking a Winter storytelling session with your family, let’s chat! We can talk on the phone/zoom to discuss your ideas or feel free to go ahead and book if you know what you’re looking for!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season with those you love!

Leave a comment and let me know what traditions you and your family do.

xo,
Sarah Jean

Year-In-The-Life aka YITL - Orange County Photographer

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A NEW service I offer is Year-In-The-Life (YITL) sessions. Starting in January, I photograph you (and your family) at your home, work, or out and about on an adventure on a monthly basis through December. Throughout the year you get an online gallery of your photos and at the end of the year, I put together a "yearbook" album for you to cherish for years to come. It's a great way to document your life without having to worry about missing those big or small moments. And this yearbook can be passed down to your kids and grandkids. I started YITL this year and it's been amazing! Each month it's a condensed version of Day-In-The-Life and my clients pick an experience they want memorialized each month. It's been really fun to watch growth (in many ways) over the course of a year as an outsider.

For the PSP Class of 2022 I am only taking on 5 clients, so if this is something you want to do next year, let's chat ASAP ! Imagine what you can have documented in a whole year of your life!

These documentary sessions are not just for families that include children and two parents. They can be for a couple, a single parent, just you, a business (I have a slightly different package for brand content you can ask me about), etc. Skies the limit! If you are seeing this blog, these sessions are for you!

If you’re interested in being part of PSP Class of 2022, let’s make it happen!

Lifestyle vs. Documentary

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Being an artist among so many others in Southern California is tough with stiff competition. You may be familiar with the popular Lifestyle photography style. Many of my photoshoots have been considered Lifestyle over the years. With this style the photographer stages the scene by asking questions or prompts their subjects to do a certain thing that would look great on camera and can capture emotion based on what they envision in their heads.

LIFESTYLE

About 6 years ago I discovered a different style of photography. It has many names: documentary style, photojournalistic, organic, etc. This style is used to chronicle events or environments both significant and relevant to history and historical events as well as everyday life. And because I am interested in working with families and couples, I want to focus on documenting everyday life as well as the big stuff. I believe that the chaos of everyday life is just as beautiful and meaningful to the subjects as the big important moments.

DOCUMENTARY

Some examples of BIG moments that can be documented in this style: nesting, birth of a child, birthday celebration, baptism, graduation, wedding, anniversary, family reunion, celebrating sobriety, celebrating remission, spending time with loved ones in their last days, funeral/celebration of life, etc.

Some examples of every day life moments: morning routine, bath time, bedtime routine, breastfeeding/bottle feeding, playing in the living room or child's room, play dates in the park, doing chores together, swim lessons, pool parties, picking a Christmas tree and decorating it, carving pumpkins, holiday decorating, hiking adventure, going out for ice cream/a treat, baking cookies, cooking and eating a meal together, arts & crafts, taking your kid to school while you still can, girl scout/boy scout/other community group gatherings/events, family camping trip, getting a tattoo/cover up, meeting up with friends, Disneyland Days, trips to the farmer's market, block parties, etc. So many memories waiting to be frozen in time.

I want to be there to capture memories, not create memories.

This style has captured my heart in a big way and I have recently decided to exclusively shoot in this style moving forward.

So I found my niche and want to share it with all of you and the world!

Day-In-The-Life sessions are the best way to shoot in this style. In these sessions I spend several hours (3-4+) with my clients either in their home or out and about (or both) capturing their normal routine. The Lynns were the first clients of mine to indulge me in this style and it was perfect! The Evans family was fantastic as well! Learning about a family, their dynamics, personalities, and capturing that with my camera is what makes me come alive.

These sessions can include video or be video only. With these sessions I have prints and products you can purchase to give the photos life after the session. Things like a box of mounted prints, to large artwork for your walls, and coffee table books you can flip through for years to come. If this is something you would be interested in booking, you can download and fill out this questionnaire and email it to me or we can chat on the phone!

Hope to see you and your loved ones in front of my camera soon!

[Picture Life] Pierson Family | Documentary Family Photography | San Diego Photographer

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Melissa and I were in the same Girl Scout troop as kids. Her older sister was in my grade and their mom was our troop leader. Melissa and I reconnected on Facebook a couple years ago and she recently reached out for a documentary family photo session before undergoing chemotherapy.

Melissa booked a Slice of Life session where I spent an hour with her family playing legos, blowing bubbles, baking 1 giant chocolate chip cookie, and playing in the neighborhood party, all typical Sunday afternoon activities.

[Picture Life] with the Stevens Family | Orange County Family Photographer

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Amy reached out to me to take photographs on her family including the cutie, Bennett! There’s a great park right behind their backyard so we went on a little adventure, had dinner, and then bed time!

I love capturing a day for a family like this. It shows how everyone interacts together and is a great way to freeze this moment in time to cherish for years to come.

[Picture Life] on Friday the 13th

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"Friday the 13th" brings up different thoughts for everyone. For some, it's horror films, and others fear it will be an unlucky day. Some people just go about their Friday normally.  For me, I think about $13 tattoos! For the past few of years I have gotten 4 of these simple design tattoos. So yesterday I met some friends at a tattoo shop in Costa Mesa for some tattoo fun!

Now, I realize I didn't get any photos of the final tattoos (except mine) but I really wanted to focus on the energy of the day. I hope you enjoy!

Agape Art Collective - Costa Mesa, CA

Agape Art Collective - Costa Mesa, CA

Jon with Aaron behind

Jon with Aaron behind

The boys patiently waiting. We waited a total of 3 hours! [L to R: Jon, Jeremiah, Aaron]

The boys patiently waiting. We waited a total of 3 hours! [L to R: Jon, Jeremiah, Aaron]

Aaron stole my camera and took some photos including this one.

Aaron stole my camera and took some photos including this one.

This is our tattooer, Sal. He was rad and down to earth.

This is our tattooer, Sal. He was rad and down to earth.

Aaron stole my camera again and snapped this of me.

Aaron stole my camera again and snapped this of me.

I always love checking out tattooer's stations. The artwork on their wall tells a lot about what kind of artist/person they are.

I always love checking out tattooer's stations. The artwork on their wall tells a lot about what kind of artist/person they are.

And now the prep begins for my tattoo!

And now the prep begins for my tattoo!

Thank you Aaron for snapping away while it was my turn!

Thank you Aaron for snapping away while it was my turn!

yum! I have a deep love for pizza and I am pretty stoked on this new tattoo :)

yum! I have a deep love for pizza and I am pretty stoked on this new tattoo :)

Thanks for checking out my blog. I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of my personal life!

I am available for hire in little adventures like this so drop me a line and we can discuss working together.

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Until next time!